The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks will host the Johnstown Tomahawks for a three-game series this weekend at Danbury Arena. With the final push for the Robertson Cup Playoffs in full effect, let’s take a look at the keys to the series.
Standings
Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks – 43 games, 17-23-3 (37 points, 6th in East Division)
Johnstown Tomahawks – 47 games, 33-9-5 (71 points, 1st in East Division)
Tale of the Tape
The Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks are coming off one of their best wins of the season, besting the Maryland Black Bears on a last-second third period goal scored by defenseman Adam Schuchart. The win snapped a six game losing streak for the Jr. Hat Tricks, and the regulation decision helped gain ground on the fourth-place Black Bears.
Johnstown has clinched the top spot in the East Division and boasts the fourth-most wins in the entire NAHL. Their most recent game was a 2-0 shutout victory against the Maine Nordiques last Saturday.
The Tomahawks have bested the Jr. Hat Tricks in each of the previous four meetings this season, once in overtime at Danbury Arena. Each contest has been highly competitive however, and Danbury will need to rack up wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Players to Watch
Adam Shuchart, D (DHT)– Shuchart was the hero Tuesday, scoring a buzzer-beating third period goal with 0.9 seconds remaining in regulation. The goal lifted Danbury’s spirits and snapped a six-game losing streak, keeping the Jr. Hat Trick’s Robertson Cup playoff hopes alive. Shuchart played a strong pair of games against the Maryland Black Bears, and will need to continue his strong play against a potent Tomahawks offense.
Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero, F (DHT)– Danbury’s winning percentage is over 40% higher when they score the first goal of the game. Alexi Van Houtte-Cachero set the Jr. Hat Tricks off in the right direction when he opened the scoring in Danbury’s win on Tuesday. The University of Nebraska-Omaha commit took advantage of a clean look in front of the Maryland net and wired a wrist shot to the back of the net. He has grown into a reliable depth piece for the team who will likely receive more ice time as the team battles injuries around the lineup.
Alex Gritz, F (JHT)- Gritz has three goals and one assist in head-to-head play against the Jr. Hat Tricks this season, including a game-deciding goal in Johnstown’s March 5th victory. Tied for sixth on his team with 25 points this season, Gritz is one of many weapons for the Tomahawks.
How to Watch
Live game streaming will be hosted on HockeyTV. Tickets are available by clicking here. Puck drop is scheduled for 7pm on Friday and Saturday, and 1pm on Sunday.
Written by Johnny Alexandre. Photo credit Jim Stout